Flexible metallic packing



H. P. RHODES FLEXIBLE METALLIC PACKING May 10, 1927.

Filed July 1 1925 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,627,620 PATENT OFFICE.

HAMPTON PRATT RHODES, OI HOUSTON. TEXAS.

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Application filed July 18, 1925. Serial No. 44,448.

My invention relates to packing for use in stufiing boxes in maintaining a \tight closure about moving shafts and is particularliy adapted for use where heat is encountere It is an object of the invention to provide which the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown, Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a. stri constructed in accordance with my -invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a coil of packing material illustrating the. manner in which the packing stri may be compressed to fit about the rod? In the formation of the body of the packing material I contemplate the use of strips of metal foil of which Babbitt metal is the preferred constituent. The strips of foil are compressed together in interlocked position about a centra core 1. The compressed foil 2 -is preferably formed into rectangular shape about the core although'obviously the shape may be varied as desired for the particular purpose to which it is put. a

The core 1 is preferably of asbesso's and comprises a cord, or wick, of ashes 0s material adapted to absorb a quantity of lubricant. The wick, or core, of asbestos thus obtained is satiirated with lubricant before the metal foil 2 is compressed about the core 1n interlocked position. v

In formin .the metal about the core, I use a lurality of smaller cords or wicks 3 of as stos distributed in the metal foil in such a manner as to render the same somewhat more compressible and also acting to lubricate the metal foil in the same manner as does the central core. These cords of asbestos are saturated in the same manner as the'central core. It is also desired-that the strips of metal foil be covered with a small amount of lubricant, such as graphite and oil, so that-when compressed in sition the entire bod of the packing wi .haveintimate assoclation "there with a suflicient supply of lubricating material.

. On the side of the body of the ackin thus formed I place a flat strip or ayer of packing material also of asbestos. This layer is to be held in position against the 'body of the metallic packing by means of an outer covering 5, of fabric or braided material, which encloses the entire body of the packing and holds it in shape, allowing it to conform however to the position of the stufiing box in which it is placed. The strip 4 of asbestos is also supplied with lubricant to assist in preventing the packing from becoming dry in use.

The packing thus formed of compressed metal foil with the wicks of asbestos extending longitudinally therethrough is particularly eificient in its operation. The metal foil furnishes an excellent bearing for the moving rod, or shaft, and the manner in which the lubricant is maintained in contact with the foil during use has been found to entirely eliminate the necessity of further lubrication. The packing easily conforms to the shape of the box in which it is placed and will wear for long periods of time and has been found to be a articular- 1y durable type of bearing for t e moving shaft. 'The stri of asbestos 4 is ordinarily placed on the si e of the packing away from the rod and forms a seat against the box in which the packing is placed. It assists in lubricating the packing and forms a compressible and somewhat resilient seat for the body of the packing strip. The advantages of this construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new by Letters Patent is:

and desire to protect 1.- A flexible metallic packing comprising a central core of asbestos, a heavy layer of metal foil compressed in interlocked position around said score, a plurality of smaller threads of asbestos extending longitudinally of the metal foil, a layer of asbestos on one side of the compressed metal foil, and a covering of flexible material surrounding said packing, said core and asbestos threads being saturated with lubricant.

2. A flexible metallic packing comprising a central core of oil-soaked asbestos, a body of metal about said core composed of stri s of Babbitt foikconipresse'd longitudinal y in interlocked position about said core, a plurality of asbestos threads in said strips away from said core, a cushion of heat resisting ma rial on one side of said packin and a flexible covering, said asbestos threa s and said cu hion having lu ricant therein.

3. A flexible metallic packin comprising tos across one side of said acking and a a. centralc lindrical core of as 03, lubnflexible covering thereon in t e manner dem cant in sai core longitudinal strips of Babscribed. bitt foil interloclied about said core and en- In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my 5 tirely surrounding the samehmeans spaced signature this 11th day of July, A. D. 1925.

from said core to convey lu ricant to said foil away from said core, a cushion of asbesv HAMPTON PRATT RHODES. 

